Plumb bob with interchangeable parts

ABSTRACT

A plumb bob assembly includes a hollow conical bob having a conical recess in which is a removable heavy conical insert. The insert has a conical recess in which is a removable conical bob. One or more cylindrical sections are connected successively to the conical bob by detachably engaged threaded nipples and recesses. One or more of the cylindrical members may have conical recesses containing removable other conical bobs. The bobs are of different sizes and different materials.

[ 1March 13, l 973 3,448,525 6/1969 Majewski........... ...................33/2l6 [54] PLUMB BOB WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS Primary Examiner-Leonard Forman [76] Inventor: Mieczyslaw Stanislaw Majewski, 102

Assistant Examiner-Charles E. Phillips l gggg h Street New York Attorney-Polachek, Saulsbury, and l-lough [57] ABSTRACT A plumb bob assembly includes a hollow conical bob Notice:

The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to June 10, 1986, has been having a conical recess in which is a removable heavy May 4, 1970 conical insert. The insert has a conical recess in which [22] Filed:

is a removable conical bob. One or more cylindrical sections are connected successively to the conical bob by detachably engaged threaded nipples and recesses. One or more of the cylindrical members may have {21] Appl. No.: 34,255

[52] US. [51] .G0lc 15/10 conical recesses containing removable other conical bobs. The bobs are of different sizes and different materials.

[58] Field of Search.................................33/2l6, 217

2 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,060,855 5/1913 Pipher....................................33/217 PATENTEUHARIIHUYS 3 7 0,

SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR.

MIECZYSLAW STAN/SLAM MAIEWSK! B W 7 flFOR VEYS PATENTEDHAR 1 3 191a SHEET 2 OF 2 v Iii/z PLUMB BOB WITH INTERCIIANGEABLE PARTS This invention is directed at a plumb bob assembly especially adapted for use by bricklayers and other artisans as a plumb bob and vertical level. The invention involves improvements over the plumb bobs described in my US. Pat. No. 3,448,525 issued June 10, 1969. In my prior patent, the plumb bob assembly terminates at its lower end in either a conical bob ora convex tip so that the assembly cannot stand upright on its lower end. Cylindrical sections of the assembly are formed with conical cavities each containing a removable plumb bob. The conical plumb bobs are of equal size. It has been found desirable to provide means for terminating the assembly in a flat cylindrical end so that the assembly can stand on end. This is accomplished in the present invention by a removable internally threaded cap. It has also been found desirable to install removable bobs of different lengths and in greater number than is possible in the assembly of my prior patent. This is done by providing conical cavities in the cylindrical sections for removable conical bobs, and by providing a conical cavity in a large conical bob containing a removable smaller conical bob and a conical liner.Removing the liner alters the weight of the large bob.The smaller bob can be used independently of the larger bob. In its greatest length the assembly is about 18 inches long. It has a plurality of detachable and interchangeable cylindrical sections and at least four conical bobs having different sizes made of different metals so that they have different weights. In all assemblies of one or more bobs and one or more cylindrical sections, the assembly has the configuration of a right cylinder with a conical end or with a flat end. The several parts can all be detached from each other and disposed in a case for carrying as a kit.

Other and further features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an oblique side elevational view of an assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 16-19 are side elevational views of plumb bob assemblies made with parts of the assembly ofFIGS. l and 2.

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a threaded cap which may be applied as a closure to the bottom of a cylindrical assembly.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an assembly of cylindrical parts including the cap of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is an oblique view of a cylindrical head which may be employed at the top ofa plumb bob assembly.

FIG. 10 is an axial sectional view taken on line 10 10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 l and FIG. 12 are side elevational views of two plumb bob assemblies employing the head of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of another cylindrical head.

FIG. 14 is an axial section taken on line 1414 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a plumb bob assembly employing the head of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view ofa kit including plumb bob parts which may be assembled in various ways to form a variety of plumb bobs, and a case for the several parts.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a plumb bob assembly 10. This assembly includes a cylindrical knurled head 12 provided with a nipple 14 which has external threading l5 and internal threading 16. A central axial hole 18 in the head receives an eyebolt 20 to which is attached a string 22. The string can be secured by a clip 24 or by a knot. Engaged with nipple 14 is a first cylindrical section 25. This section has an upper internally threaded recess 26 which engages on the outer threading of nipple 14. At the lower end of section 25 is a nipple 28 having external threading 30 and internal threading 32.

Engaged with nipple 28 is a second cylindrical section 34 which is slightly longer axially than section 25. Section 34 has an upper internally threaded recess 36 which engages with the outer threading 30 of nipple 28. A conical recess 38 is provided in section 34 which can receive conical bob 39. This bob has a threaded stud 40 at the top which engages in the internal threading 32 of nipple 28.

A third cylindrical section 42 is formed with a knob or stud 44 having external thread 45 which engages in internally threaded nipple 46 at the lower end of section 34. Section 42 also has a groove 48 at its upper end. The groove receives nipple 46. The outer wall 49 of the groove is threaded to engage external threading of nipple 46. Stud 44 has an indentation 47 at its upper end in which extends the tip of bob 39.

A fourth cylindrical section 50 is equal in length and diameter to section 34. Section 50 has an upper internally threaded recess 52 which engages with the outer threading of a nipple 54 at the lower end of section 42. A conical recess 56 is provided in section 50 which can receive a conical bob 58. This bob has a threaded stud 60 at the top which engages in the internal threading of nipple S4.

A nipple 62 is provided at the bottom end of section 50. This nipple is internally and externally threaded. Nipple 62 .engages in internally threaded upper portion 63 of a recess 64 in upper cylindrical extension 65 of a conical bob 66. The upper portion of recess 64 is cylindrical to receive nipple 62. The lower portion of recess 64 is conical and contains a removable heavy lead insert 68. A conical recess in the insert 68 receives a small conical bob 72. Bob 72 has an externally threaded stud 74 which engages in the internal threading of nipple 62. An indentation 75 in the top of stud 74 receives the tip of bob 58.

The conical bobs 39, 58, 66 and 72 are preferably made of different materials such as lead, brass, bronze and copper as indicated in the drawing. Bobs 39 and 58 may be of equal axial length, while bob 66 is axially longer than bobs 39, 58 and bob 72 is the shortest one of all.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show how progressively shorter and smaller plumb bob assemblies can be made by attaching the several parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus in FIG. 3, assembly 10A can be derived from assembly 10 by unscrewing section 50 along with bobs 66 and 72. This will expose bob 58 at the bottom of the assembly of head 12 and sections 25, 34 and 52.

Assembly B of FIG. 4 can be derived from assembly 10A by removing sections 34 and 42 along with bob 58 to expose bob 39 at the bottom of section 25.

Assembly 10C is put together by connecting bob 39 directly to head 12. Bob 58 could similarly be connected directly to head 12 in place of bob '39.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a cylindrical externally knurled cap 80 which has internal threading 82. This cap can be engaged on any one of nipples 28, 46, 54 or 62 at the bottom ends of sections 25, 34,42 and 50 respectively to provide a right cylindrical end therefor. 7

FIG. 8 shows cap 80 completing assembly 10D which includes head 12 and sections 25, 34, 42 and 50. The cap 80 makes it possible to stand the plumb bob assembly stably upright on its bottom flat end when the cap is mounted on the end of the assembly.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another cylindrical head 84 which is smaller in diameter but axially longer than head 12. This head has an axial hole 86 to receive eyebolt 20, and an internally threaded bottom recess 88. Assembly 10E of FIG. 11 shows head 84 connected to bob 58 with eyebolt and string 22 attached. Assembly 10F of FIG. 12 has bob 72 connected to head 84 in place of bob 58.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show another knurled cylindri' cal head 90 which can be used with the small bob 72. Head 90 has axial hole 92 to receive eyebolt 20. An internally threaded recess 93 is formed in the bottom of head 90. The exterior of head 90 has a tapered portion 94 which registers with bob 72 as shown in assembly 106 ofFIG. 15.

FIGS. 16-19 show plumb bob assemblies which can be put together using the bob 66 in each assembly. In FIG. 16, section 50 of assembly 10 is removed, and bob 66 is attached directly to section 42 to form assembly 10H which includes sections 25, 34, 42 and head 12.

In FIG. 17 bob 66 is connected directly to section 34 in assembly 10.1 which also includes section and head 12. In FIG; 18, bob 66 is connected directly to section 25 in assembly 10K which also includes head 12. In FIG. 19, bob 66 is connected directly to head 12.

In each of assemblies 10, 10A, 10D, 10H, 10], the bobs 39 and/or 58 can be inserted in sections 34, 50 or omitted depending on the weight of bob desired. The insert 68 in bob 66 is also removable if desired.

FIG. 20 shows a case 100 having a plurality of recesses 102 formed in bottom 104 to receive the several sections 25, 34, 50, heads 12, 84 and 90, bobs 39, 58, 66 and 72, and cap 80. A recess is also provided to receive a roll or spool 106 of string 22 at the end of which is secured eyebolt 20. The case has a hinged cover 110 on which is a hinged hasp 114. On wall 117 carrying handle 112, and is an eye 116 for hasp 114. A lock not shown .can be engaged on eye 116 to lock the case closed while it is being carried or stored. The several parts in case 100 constitute a kit of parts which can be put together in various ways as described above to form plumb bob assemblies of different lengths and weights. The assemblies can be used as vertical levels since the parts can be put together to form cylindrical structures of various lengths.

While a limited number of embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

hat 1S claimed is:

1. A plumb bob and level assembly, comprising a plurality of massive right cylindrical sections of equal diameter disengage-ably attached together end to end in axial alignment to form a massive cylindrical structure, a first one of said cylindrical sections having a first conical cavity therein axially aligned with the axis of said first cylindrical section; a first conical bob removably inserted in said cavity; a second one of said cylindrical sections having an internally and externally threaded nipple on its lower end, and internal threads in its upper end; said first conical hob and said first cylindrical section being detachably engaged respectively with the internal and external threads of the nipple on the lower end of the second one of said cylindrical sections adjacent to said first cylindrical section, so that the first conical bob is exposed when the first cylindrical section is removed from the second cylindrical section; a cylindrical cap detachably engaged at the upper end of said second cylindrical section; said cap having an axial bore; and a stem extending through said bore in the cap for attachment of a cord thereto to suspend said cylindrical structure in an axially vertical position; a second conical bob removably attached to one end of said first cylindrical section in axial alignment therewith, said second conical bob having an axial second conical cavity therein; and a third conical bob smaller than the second conical bob removably disposed in the second cavity in axial alignment with the first and second conical bobs and with the first and second cylindrical sections, said third conical bob having an extension at its wider end removably attached to said one end of the first cylindrical section, so that the smaller third conical bob is exposed when the second conical bob is removed from the first cylindrical section,wherein said first cylindrical section has at said one end thereof a nipple with external and internal threads respectively engaged by the second and third conical bobs; and an internally threaded cap removably engageable on said nipple when said second and third conical bobs are disengaged for terminating the first cylindrical section in a flat end so that the assembly can stand stably upright on its end.

2. A plumb bob and level assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a massive conical liner removably disposed in said second conical cavity in the second conical b0b,said liner having a third axial conical cavity therein, said third bob being removably disposed in said third cavity, so that both said liner and said third conical bob are contained in the second cavity and are selectively removable therefrom. 

1. A plumb bob and level assembly, comprising a plurality of massive right cylindrical sections of equal diameter disengage-ably attached together end to end in axial alignment to form a massive cylindrical structure, a first one of said cylindrical sections having a first conical cavity therein axially aligned with the axis of said first cylindrical section; a first conical bob removably inserted in said cavity; a second one of said cylindrical sections having an internally and externally threaded nipple on its lower end, and internal threads in its upper end; said first conical bob and said first cylindrical section being detachably engaged respectively with the internal and external threads of the nipple on the lower end of the second one of said cylindrical sections adjacent to said first cylindrical section, so that the first conical bob is exposed when the first cylindrical section is removed from the second cylindrical section; a cylindrical cap detachably engaged at the upper end of said second cylindrical section; said cap having an axial bore; and a Stem extending through said bore in the cap for attachment of a cord thereto to suspend said cylindrical structure in an axially vertical position; a second conical bob removably attached to one end of said first cylindrical section in axial alignment therewith, said second conical bob having an axial second conical cavity therein; and a third conical bob smaller than the second conical bob removably disposed in the second cavity in axial alignment with the first and second conical bobs and with the first and second cylindrical sections, said third conical bob having an extension at its wider end removably attached to said one end of the first cylindrical section, so that the smaller third conical bob is exposed when the second conical bob is removed from the first cylindrical section,wherein said first cylindrical section has at said one end thereof a nipple with external and internal threads respectively engaged by the second and third conical bobs; and an internally threaded cap removably engageable on said nipple when said second and third conical bobs are disengaged for terminating the first cylindrical section in a flat end so that the assembly can stand stably upright on its end.
 1. A plumb bob and level assembly, comprising a plurality of massive right cylindrical sections of equal diameter disengageably attached together end to end in axial alignment to form a massive cylindrical structure, a first one of said cylindrical sections having a first conical cavity therein axially aligned with the axis of said first cylindrical section; a first conical bob removably inserted in said cavity; a second one of said cylindrical sections having an internally and externally threaded nipple on its lower end, and internal threads in its upper end; said first conical bob and said first cylindrical section being detachably engaged respectively with the internal and external threads of the nipple on the lower end of the second one of said cylindrical sections adjacent to said first cylindrical section, so that the first conical bob is exposed when the first cylindrical section is removed from the second cylindrical section; a cylindrical cap detachably engaged at the upper end of said second cylindrical section; said cap having an axial bore; and a Stem extending through said bore in the cap for attachment of a cord thereto to suspend said cylindrical structure in an axially vertical position; a second conical bob removably attached to one end of said first cylindrical section in axial alignment therewith, said second conical bob having an axial second conical cavity therein; and a third conical bob smaller than the second conical bob removably disposed in the second cavity in axial alignment with the first and second conical bobs and with the first and second cylindrical sections, said third conical bob having an extension at its wider end removably attached to said one end of the first cylindrical section, so that the smaller third conical bob is exposed when the second conical bob is removed from the first cylindrical section,wherein said first cylindrical section has at said one end thereof a nipple with external and internal threads respectively engaged by the second and third conical bobs; and an internally threaded cap removably engageable on said nipple when said second and third conical bobs are disengaged for terminating the first cylindrical section in a flat end so that the assembly can stand stably upright on its end. 